Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

MINERAL AND CHEMICAL DIVISION, J. R SIMPLOT CO. Mr. Moore. Thank you. I'm testifying today on behalf of the J. R. Simplot Co.'s minerals and chemical division, which is headquar tered in Pocatello, Idaho, and employs more than 2,500 individuals in Idaho and other Western States. This division of the Simplot Co. is engaged in the production and distribution of agricultural fertilizers which are used as crop nutri ents throughout the West and Midwest. Clearly, the reason we are able to manufacture fertilizer prod ucts in Idaho is the availability of phosphate rock. It is a resource key to our existence as a fertilizer producer; and, by the way, phos phorus is an element essential to life itself. The Simplot Co. is in the process of developing a new phosphate mine in the Smoky canyon area of Caribou County in southeast Idaho. This mine, which will come on line next year, will provide the resource base essential for our long-term survival as a viable fertilizer producer. Ore from Smokey Canyon will be transported through an under ground slurry pipeline 26 miles to the existing railhead at Conda, Idaho. The mine and much of the pipeline is located on national forest land. This project, we think, is an ideal example of the multiple-use concept. Environmental research started at the site 5 years in ad vance of mining operations. Not only was ecological date collected, it was evaluated and carefully considered in designing the mine and the mined land reclamation plan. The project, located in a remote, esthetically pleasing area, will demonstrate that it is entirely possible to put our public lands to 625 productive and beneficial use without permanent harm to scenic and recreational values. Based at least in part on this, it is difficult for us to understand the wisdom in placing any additional acreage in a system which es sentially rules out all use. Those relatively few individuals with the inclination, health, and stamina to avail themselves of a formal wilderness experience have ample opportunity to do so in the 3.8 million acres in Idaho alone, already classified as wilderness. Please keep in mind that minerals are a hidden resource. Only sophisticated, thorough exploration techniques will identify and define an ore deposit of economic significance. That type of explo ration simply will not occur on wilderness land. Furthermore, lower grade mineral deposits which cannot be mined under present market conditions may very well be needed by this country in future years due to economic or technological changes. Wilderness designation effectively prohibits the location and development of such deposits. It is the position of the J. R. Simplot Co. that no acreage should be added to Idaho's existing wilderness system and that, by con gressional action, all designated roadless areas in national forest lands within Idaho's boundaries should be permanently returned to multiple-use management. Thank you.